Chain Hooks on Loader

Sully2 · Jul 5, 2008

stimpee said:
Why all the rage to weld on hooks?

Is there a reason why nobody seems to just buy the bolt on type and drill a few holes and bolt them on? If people are worried about the bolts causing localized loads and failing the bucket locally, the same would happen with the weld-on (in my opinion) and if you load it up that much you probably have other problems on the way.

Am I missing something here?

It would seem that drilling 2 holes on the bucket per side, and bolting on the hooks would be easier, and more "reversible" if for some reason you wanted to take them off.

Your missing something!!!

I see you have a Kubota B3030..as I do. Try and explain how YOU are going to BOLT a chain hook to the upper lip of your FEL bucket? Then explain how you can ever WELD a hook to the upper lip. I looked at my own FEL bucket....clamped a 12" Cresant wrench onto the lip and could work it back and forth. A hook welded or bolted to that flimsy POS wouldnt last 2 weeks of hard work.

I took a piece of 2" x 3" angle...1/4" thick and welded it to the backside of that lip and down to join the other backside of the FEL bucket and THEN welded my hooks onto the 1/4" thick angle

SPYDERLK · Jul 5, 2008

texasjohn said:
I used grab hooks with the pin for attaching a chain. Welded them on while leaving the holes for the pin. Then, got a short length of light wire chain and attached it by using the pin. Now, with benefit of a double snap catch, I can attach 5 gallon buckets on either side of the bucket and/or front via the center grab hook.

When fencing, I place T posts in the FEL bucket. Pull old wooden posts with the FEL and place them in FEL bucket, drive the T post with bottom of FEL with a pipe sheath covering so T post doesn't bend. Tools and supplies are distributed in the 5 gallon buckets. Trash such as busted electric insulators, pieces of wire, etc. goes into a 5 gallon bucket.

This lets me and a buddy work a fence line easily. He drives up to the fence and performs FEL operations at my direction while I perform whatever needs to be done.. pulling crooked/busted posts using chain in grab hook, driving new ones in, repairing/removing/installing electric insulators and t post clips.

Net, I PREFER the regular grab hooks and use the extra attachment points they provide to my benefit.

Good Ideas!! Regular grabs are much cheaper too. Need to strengthen the bucket where theyre welded if you use them hard tho.
larry

shvl73 · Jul 5, 2008

Bedlam said:
If you have a chop saw.grinder,disk cutter, or even a hack saw, My dealer just cuts a grab hood to a fairly flat surface to weld them on. Ive done it a few times there isn't much material to remove.

I did the same thing, works well. I like the loop they have for hooking tie downs as well.

stimpee · Jul 5, 2008

Sully2 said:
Your missing something!!!

I see you have a Kubota B3030..as I do. Try and explain how YOU are going to BOLT a chain hook to the upper lip of your FEL bucket? Then explain how you can ever WELD a hook to the upper lip. I looked at my own FEL bucket....clamped a 12" Cresant wrench onto the lip and could work it back and forth. A hook welded or bolted to that flimsy POS wouldnt last 2 weeks of hard work.

I took a piece of 2" x 3" angle...1/4" thick and welded it to the backside of that lip and down to join the other backside of the FEL bucket and THEN welded my hooks onto the 1/4" thick angle

I don't have a Kubota bucket. I have an ATI bucket, and I bought the heavy duty one...

I have not looked at it THAT closely, but it is very beefy, and I'll bet it would be OK. I also have bolt holes on the top side of the bucket for a bolt on grapple, so I could always bolt on a piece of angle there, and bolt the hooks to that...

Have to take a closer look.

texasjohn · Jul 5, 2008

I have the heavy duty round back Kubota FEL bucket.... it is extremely strong and reinforced on the top where the chain hooks are welded...no further reinforcement needed for that bucket. However, I have seen on other threads where lighter weight buckets DO need further reinforcement.... it's worth looking at carefully before welding.

Sully2 · Jul 5, 2008

stimpee said:
I don't have a Kubota bucket. I have an ATI bucket, and I bought the heavy duty one...

I have not looked at it THAT closely, but it is very beefy, and I'll bet it would be OK. I also have bolt holes on the top side of the bucket for a bolt on grapple, so I could always bolt on a piece of angle there, and bolt the hooks to that...

Have to take a closer look.

Well I bought the Kubota laoder because it fits the (limited) lift capabilitys of the tractor itself.
Dont matter what brand of bucket...but you need to LOOK and ASK before making statement to the affect that "people" need to just bolt on hooks. Everyone doesnt own the same equipment..and besuides that..bolt on hook will STILL give point loadings into the metal of the busket..which PROPERLY welded hooks wont ( ifi given a proper pad or mount surface)

stimpee · Jul 5, 2008

Sully2 said:
Well I bought the Kubota laoder because it fits the (limited) lift capabilitys of the tractor itself.
Dont matter what brand of bucket...but you need to LOOK and ASK before making statement to the affect that "people" need to just bolt on hooks. Everyone doesnt own the same equipment..and besuides that..bolt on hook will STILL give point loadings into the metal of the busket..which PROPERLY welded hooks wont ( ifi given a proper pad or mount surface)

Excuse me, but when did I EVER say "people need to just bolt on hooks"?

I asked a question, because I don't understand why everyone seems to go to a lot of trouble to weld on the hooks. It was a question, NOT a statement...

I can certainly understand CASES where it makes sense to weld them on, such as if the bucket is not sturdy enough locally. My bucket does not seem to have that limitation, and also I think people need to keep in perspective how much (or little) load you can actually put on 2 hooks on the bucket with a sub 1k lift capacity. THAT is why I am asking. Sorry to get your panties in such a ruffle...

EDIT: BTW, the welded on hooks that I have seen many people install, are just welded directly to the bucket, and not to an angle iron or other reinforcement pad, FWIW...

Bedlam · Jul 5, 2008

I would guess that people would opt to bolt them on for two reasons, one being that there are already avaliable holes to do it, or that they arnt set up to weld them on.Of cource where and how they are welded on depends on the stregnth of the area and the amount of the load.
Mine were welded on from the sealer, who also added a strip of metal across the top of all the buckets he sold, so I am lacking the 'pibut they would sure come in handy. I many times find i had to use my straps etc to secure and its hard to hook them to the hooks.
I would say its up to the individual and their needs.Ive read many posts here about not pulling ,etc. Ive done it all for 30 years and three ford tractors and havent done harm, so the question is is the tractor better built, or an I just not not overdoing it.
If I were the original poster, maybe search the other threads and find a method that most fits your needs.I have 3/8 hooks, and almost alwasy use 1/4 inch chains, and expect them to snap.

ultrarunner · Jul 6, 2008

stimpee said:
Why all the rage to weld on hooks?

Is there a reason why nobody seems to just buy the bolt on type and drill a few holes and bolt them on? If people are worried about the bolts causing localized loads and failing the bucket locally, the same would happen with the weld-on (in my opinion) and if you load it up that much you probably have other problems on the way.

Am I missing something here?

It would seem that drilling 2 holes on the bucket per side, and bolting on the hooks would be easier, and more "reversible" if for some reason you wanted to take them off.

On the BX23 I bolted my 5/16" grab hooks...

The Hooks are forged and made in USA and I carry a 5/16" grade 70 chain...

I decided bolting was more than adequate for the capabilities of my BX...